Sectionalized boat assembly



F. V. LONG SECTIONALIZED BOAT ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 7, 1957 A76 (Jig- 75 A A A HAW/1J ,1 I: A I ZIIIIIIIIEI I H I I24 I M4 m ml l I INVENTOR lhzzwis Vinimz L012? ATTORNEYS SECTIONALIZED BOAT ASSEMBLY Francis Vint'on Long, Shreveport, La.

Application January 7, 1957, Serial No. 632,882

2 Claims. (Cl. 9-2) This invention relates to marine transportation and more particularly to an ingenious boat structure for use therein.

In modern day marine transportation, a need for an easily fabricated boat assembly has arisen. The necessity for traveling long distances by motor car has rendered acute the requirement for a boat assembly which may be easily dismantled to form a compact unit. The present invention contemplates a boat assembly' which not only fits these requirements, but olfers an unusually high degree of buoyancy and directional stability while water-borne;

Accordingly therefore, a primary object of this invention is to provide a method and means for fabricating a boat assembly from a plurality of individual sections which are capable of fitting or nesting together in a compact unit.

Another object of this invention is to teach an ingenious boat assembly comprised of sections which telescope within themselves to provide a readily transportable compact unit.

Another object of this invention is to disclose a plurality of box-like sections of diminishing size which may be placed in nesting interrelationship in order to expedite transportation to a remote site.

Another object of this invention is to provide a boat construction which exploits a sponson construction characterized by the rigidity of a structural beam, and a degree of buoyancy which minimizes the possibility of cap- SlZlIlg.

A further object of the invention is to disclose a novel combination of boat structure equipped with readily detachable buoyant seat members capable of serving as life preservers.

Astill further object of the invention is to teach a method and means for fabricating a practical sectionalized boat assembly.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a top plan view of the sectionalized boat assembly constructed according to the teachings of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the sectionalized boat assembly.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 in Figure l, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 shows the manner in which individual sections in the boat assembly nest Within themselves to form a compact unit.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the buoyant seat members which is detachably mounted in the sectionalized boat assembly.

Turning now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, the numeral 1 indicates generally a plan view of the sectionalized boat assembly constructed according to the teachings of the invention.

atent ice The boat assembly 1 includes a plurality of individual box-like sections identified by reference numerals 2, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. These sections may be fabricated of wood, fiberglass, light metal, pressed impregnated paper pulp, plastic impregnated fabric, or other suitable material exhibiting the required degree of structural strength, and the use of such materials would be deemed to fall within the purview of the invention. The largest individual section, which is at the stern, may include a suitably reinforced wall for supporting outboard motors or the like.

Along the outer surface of the individual sections there is secured a sponson assembly which is designated generally by the reference numeral 7. The sponson assembly includes the individual sponson members 7A, 7B, and 7C, all of which are detachably secured to the lateral walls of the individual sections of the boat assembly.

It will be observed that the sponson members are provided with tapering or obliquely disposed joints therebetween, in order to enhance the rigidity of the sectionalized boat assembly. If desired, suitable oarlocks may be provided in the upper surface of the sponson members.

The individual sponson members are constructed to provide a large degree of buoyancy to the boat assembly. This is most readily understood by inspection of the sectional view shown in Figure 3. The inner portion of the sponson member is designated by numeral 7B and is composed of Styrofoam or other suitable multi-cellular flotation material. The pores or cells on the outer boundary of the sponson member are sealed off by means of an outer layer 73''. This outer layer may be composed of a resin-impregnated fiberglass cloth or the like. After accomplishing the encasement of the unit with such an outer layer, suitable bolt holes are cut through the member. Because of this method of fabrication, the complete sponson assembly acts as a structural beam and acts to greatly strengthen and rigidify the boat assembly.

Each of the individual sponson members is penetrated by a plurality of bolts 8. These bolts extend through suitable holes provided in the lateral wall of individual sections of the boat assembly, as shown most clearly in Figure 3. It will be observed that in each case one or more of the bolts 8 is positioned to penetrate the terminal surfaces of individual sponson members which define the tapered joint earlier referred to.

Each of the sponson members is provided with one or more arm loops 9, made of rope or webbing, in order to provide a gripping surface when the boat assembly is used in turbulent waters. I

Within the sections of the boat assembly there are provided readily-detachable buoyant seat members 10A and 10B. Each of the seat members may comprise a substantially oblong solid as shown most clearly in Figure 5. The seat members are constructed to serve as life preservers. More particularly, each such member may comprise a solid block of Styrofoam or other equally suitable multi-cellular flotation material. The seat members may be covered with an outer layer of plastic-impregnated fiberglass fabric or the like, if desired. In addition, the members 10A and 10B are provided with pairs of arm loops 11A and 11B respectively, and are maintained in position by means of conventional pivoted clasps or hooks 12A and 12B respectively.

The clasps 12A and 1213 must be characterized by the ability to swing rapidly out of the way in order to free the seat members in the event that the boat assembly is capsized and the members are required to serve as life preservers.

:In conclusion, it will be appreciated that although I have disclosed my invention in clear and concise terms as required by the statute, many modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A sectionalized boat assembly which includes at least two box-like sections having perimeters which permit placement of one of each said sections within another of said sections, said box-like sections provided with holes penetrating the oppositely disposed lateral Walls thereof; first and second sets of individual sponson members comprised of multicellular flotation material, said sponson members including end surfaces obliquely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, to form in each such set obliquely disposed abutting joints between said individual sponson members thereof; and bolt means mounted to penetrate said individual sponson members and said oppositely disposed lateral walls to secure said first and second sets of sponson members respectively thereto, said bolt means connected to penetrate at least two of the individual sponson members in each set on opposite sides of said abutting joints to exert force thereon.

4 2. A boat assembly as defined in claim 1 provided with at least one buoyant seat member, and pivoted clasp means mounted to secure said seat member within one of said box-like sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

